Be Thankful Wreath (Trash to Treasure)

At our house at dinner time….when we sit down to sweet tea and frozen pizza….

….we have a tradition.

It’s called high/low.

We go around the table and tell the high of the day and then a low of the day. It’s usually more highs than lows…..told with lots of hand-waving and excited voices describing the ups and downs of school and the stories of all the drama that goes on in fifth grade.

Lows disguised as comments about a sibling are not allowed.

Detailed descriptions of the lunch menu are welcomed.

It’s a melee.

A free-for-all.

A circus.

All set to a low-pitched roar.

And at the center of it all….when the noise and hustle and bustle and laughter swirls around the dinner table….

….sometimes I catch my husband’s twinkling eye.

And we share a look.

A look that counts our blessings.

Each and every one.

Blessings that the highs are so much more than the lows….that there are stories to make us laugh…..that salisbury steak comes with green beans, mashed potatoes and a roll….that the playground is covered in new mulch.

….and that Betsy Ross and Jackie Kennedy got an A on their speeches.

To help us all count our blessings….I made a wreath.

I asked everyone what they were thankful for and framed the quotes and added some pictures….

And hung the wreath in the kitchen.

It the perfect decoration….

….for when the circus comes to town.

Be Thankful Wreath

Supplies:

picture frames

ribbon

photo paper

old grapevine wreath from the goodwill pile

hot glue

Step 1: Assemble supplies and remove the easels from the frames.

I found these frames at Michaels in the $1.00 aisle.

These frames had a hinge on the back.

I twisted the easel part of the frame until it was loose and then removed the easel part of the frame like shown.

After removing the easel part of the picture frame, the hinge should remain attached to the frame.

This allows the frames to lay flat on the wreath.

Discard hinges (unless you are planning on starting a highly sought after hinge collection).

Comments

So while dabbing at the tear in my left eye my right eye was busy taking in the directions on making this beautiful family “Future” heirloom! Just beautiful…that’s what I so admire about you, simple, heartfelt and funny! I remember those supper’s over mac & cheese, hamburgers and open discussions on everything! with three daughters our kitchen table became the UN, Dear Abby and the nightly news all rolled into one! I miss those days….but now two of my three daughters live only minutes from me so the conversations around the table are pretty much the same only on an adult level!
Have a fabulous weekend!

Ah, another one of your fabulous stories to start my day! I’m going to a 6 hour technology inservice today, when I would MUCH rather go to my little school to make music with my marvelous children, so I needed some sweetness this morning! Let’s see……computers or children….which do I love? Simple answer–CHILDREN! Another question–KariAnne or wonders of technology? KARIANNE! I’ll be thinking of your wreath and the possibilities while they drone on……

I love your wreath and that your family has sit down meals! There are many family’s that don’t take the time to eat together because of there work schedules.
I always enjoyed my daughters highs and lows ,it was a wonderful time to bond and hear what they were up to

LOVE this idea! We too do the “high/low” thing when we actually get a chance to sit down and eat dinner together! And, we are so blessed that the highs greatly out weigh the lows. So much to be thankful for! Life to the full! Melissa

Kari Anne,
Your children are so cute and what a wonderful idea with the high/low time at dinner…I am going to pass on this idea to other young families. I always love picture frame wreaths…they bring so much love to a home and this one is super neat. I have done some of these at Christmas time of past years and they are always fun to enjoy. I would love for you to share this thrifty wreath at my Nifty Thrifty Tuesday party on Monday.

I love this idea and the comment to make as gifts. I can hardly wait to make one and put pictures of my kids and their families in the frames. This will make a great addition to our home. I so enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

We do highs and lows at dinner time, too!
We’re suppose to give one high and one low and then give everyone else a turn.
It’s so fun to see our kids squirming to get another turn to share again!
We also have a rule….no low can ever be about a sibling.
Such sweet memories!